A former police officer and Bohol native who has been tagged as one of Central Visayas’ most wanted persons was arrested Monday in Ilog town, Negros Occidental after 10 years in hiding.

Apolinar Galapin, 47, who held the rank of PO2, was arrested for murder by joint operatives of the Western Visayas Regional Intelligence Unit and Ilog police.

Galapin was assigned to the Cortes Police Station before he was dismissed from the service and charged with murder.

Cortes police chief Insp. Camilo Estrara, a friend of Galapin, confirmed the arrest through dyRD Balita after he was informed by the Ilog Police Station.

Galapin was taken into police custody through an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 48 in Tagbilaran City in 2008.

He reportedly went into hiding after the court ordered his arrest while the Police Regional Office 7 offered a P140,000-reward for his arrest.

According to Estrara, Galapin has been accused of killing one Leo Lagrada, 29, outside the Cortes Police Station after the two figured in a heated argument.

Galapin was allegedly drunk during the incident.

Authorities said that Galapin is now under the custody of the Ilog Municipal Station and is set to be transported to Bohol to face the murder charge against him. (R. Tutas)